California Taxpayers Foot $1.26M Bill for Ex-Redlands Deputy Chief's Settlement Payout

Former Redlands Police Deputy Chief Travis Martinez topped California's 2025 public payroll with nearly $1.2 million in total wages, according to State Controller's Office data analyzed by Transparent California and reported across multiple outlets. The package included $81,804 in regular pay, $890,467 in other compensation, and $231,099 in lump-sum payments, plus roughly $55,900 in city contributions for retirement and benefits—totaling about $1.26 million—despite Martinez working zero days after 18 months on paid administrative leave.

The unusually large sum stemmed primarily from an April 2025 settlement worth approximately $872,000, under which Martinez retired and dropped a June 2023 whistleblower claim alleging retaliation for reporting internal misconduct. This included concerns over efforts to conceal evidence related to a fatal Metrolink train crash and allegations of sexual misconduct by then-Deputy Chief Mike Reiss, which Martinez escalated to the FBI after internal handling proved inadequate.

Martinez's departure fits a broader pattern at the Redlands Police Department. Reiss retired in March 2023 amid multiple accusations of grooming and sexual harassment; former Police Chief Chris Catren stepped down days earlier. Over three years, the city has approved more than $3.3–4.25 million in settlements tied to these and related claims, including a $1.7 million payout in 2023 to two officers alleging pervasive sexual favoritism and a $475,000 deal in June 2026 with a forensic specialist.

Public records from the State Controller, Transparent California, city council minutes, and local reporting confirm the figures and timeline without contradiction. While the settlement resolved the dispute without admission of liability, it highlights ongoing costs to taxpayers from internal police department controversies.